Collision Of 2 Ships In Batam, Bakamla Calls The Trigger For Bad Weather

The Bakamal State Ship docked at Batu Ampar Port, Batam City, Riau Islands, Monday (28/4/2025). (ANTARA/Laily Rahmawaty)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) said the collision of two ships in the Batu Ampar waters, Batam City, Riau Islands, Saturday, May 31 was triggered by bad weather.

The Indonesian Bakamla Youth Expert Public Relations Officer Major Bakamla Yuhanes Antara said the two ships involved in the marine accident were MV Sekar Permata with the Indonesian flag and MV Roba with the island flag.

"The incident occurred at around 15.30 WIB, triggered by bad weather in the form of heavy rain and strong winds," said Yuhanes in his statement, confiscated by Antara.

He explained that Bakamla RI through elements of KN Tanjung Datu-301 which was carrying out the Yudihistira Patrol followed up on reports from VTS Merak regarding the collision of the two commercial ships.

The Commander of KN Tanjung Datu-301 Colonel Bakamla Rudi Endratmoko, he said, immediately deployed a visit board, search and seifour (VBSS) team to collect data and directly check the two ships.

"The results of checking the Indonesian Bakamla VBSS Team found that due to the impact of MV Sekar Permata suffered a number of damages," he said.

The damage suffered by MV Sekar Permata as a result of the accident, he continued, included a broken life crane, a twisted right hull and a broken right hull, the back goddesses of the ship were broken.

"Meanwhile, MV Roba only suffered minor abrasions on the right side," he said.

Bakamlah RI also dug up information from the two ship captains regarding the incident, which was declared a pure accident due to bad weather.

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds caused MV Roba to be unable to maintain its position when anchoring. As a result, the ship dissolved and hit MV Sekar Permata which was in a close position.

"However, the operators of the two ships have agreed to resolve this incident amicably. MV Roba expressed his willingness to repair the damage suffered by MV Sekar Permatam," said Yuhanes.

Meanwhile, the repair process will be carried out under direct supervision by the KN Tanjung Datu-301 VBSS Team together with officers from the Harbormaster and Port Authority (KPLP) to ensure the process runs safely and according to shipping safety procedures.